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Study area: sub-catchment G8, Lower Glenelg
Basin.
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Himal Baral, a PhD
student from the University of Melbourne, began his project on
“Trade-offs among Ecosystem Services from Planted
Forests” in 2008 (see
article in
Biobuzz 7). He is currently using geographic information
system (GIS) technology as a tool for mapping biodiversity and
associated ecosystem services.
Effective biodiversity conservation requires accurate, up-to-date,
and accessible information. Ideally, this information is
geographically-based and capable of predicting species’
distributions and habitat requirements. GIS is particularly useful
for mapping and analysing biodiversity data, which include a
variety of spatial and attribute data. The information embedded in
a GIS can be used to target surveys and monitoring schemes.
Himlal is currently focussing on the distribution of threatened
flora and fauna within sub-catchment G8 in the Lower Glenelg Basin
within the Green Triangle (see images). The locations of threatened
flora and fauna are being analysed in relation to surrounding land
uses such as plantations, remnant vegetation, and pastures. The
current and potential impacts of silviculture and management
practices on habitat and species distributions will be analysed
using spatial tools. Himlal will also explore different land use
and climate change scenarios and their potential impacts on
habitats and species’ distributions.
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The patchwork landscape of Himlal's study
area.
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Biobuzz issue eight, March 2009
